by Joy Dianne J. Gumatay
CALAUAN, LAGUNA – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), in cooperation with the local government units (LGUs), Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), and Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Calauan, Laguna, conducted an orientation seminar for local indigent beneficiaries on May 6, 8, and 9 in Calauan Central Elementary School.
Dr. Jing Refrea delivered a short lecture about the health benefits entitled to PhilHealth members. She emphasized maternal benefits and services of PhilHealth such as free checkups, maternal care, and vaccination among others. (Photo by JDJGumatay)
The seminar titled “Kick-off PhilHealth Orientation to PhilHealth Members” benefited 3,780 local indigent beneficiaries from 18 barangays in Calauan, Laguna. With the help of barangay social workers (BSWs) and community midwives, local indigent beneficiaries are informed that their premium membership this year will be sponsored by PhilHealth. Thus, they are requested to attend one session in the three-day long PhilHealth orientation seminar to be aware of the benefits and services offered by the national health insurance corporation.
“Karamihan kasi alam nila na PhilHealth members sila, kaso hindi nila alam yung mga benepisyo na pwedeng ibigay ng pagiging PhilHealth member (Most of them are aware that they are PhilHealth members, but they are unaware of the benefits that they can get from being one),” said Dr. Jelidora “Jing” Refrea, the rural health physician and officer-in-charge of the Calauan municipal health office.
The PhilHealth members were divided into six batches, with about 630 participants for every batch, to accommodate them in the orientation venue. Moreover, beneficiaries also received their updated data records and were informed on how to avail themselves of PhilHealth benefits and services through PhilHealth regional officers and representatives.
The first seminar was conducted in May 6 from 6:00 – 11:00 am, followed by an afternoon session from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The same schedule is followed on the succeeding two orientation sessions.
This orientation seminar is the second sponsored seminar of PhilHealth in the community. The first one was conducted earlier last year. This effort for local indigents of Calauan, Laguna is part of the “Alaga Ka Para Sa Maayos Na Buhay or ALAGA KA program” of PhilHealth and the Department of Health (DoH).